The Lola-Drayson B12/69EV is a most unusual Le Mans prototype. It has a reputed 850 horsepower, but no piston engine. It is built around Lola’s current LMP1 chassis, but will not run in any races. Plus, the Lola-Drayson racer uses a new technology from BAE Systems that uses “structural batteries” to store electrical energy within the physical structure of a device.

Created to reduce the physical size and bulk of the electronics the modern soldier must carry, structural batteries merge battery chemistry into composite materials that can be molded into 3D shapes and form the structure of the device itself. Currently, the process makes use of nickel-based battery chemistry, but work is already underway on lithium-ion and lithium-polymer chemistries. It is not yet ready to replace the Lola-Drayson car’s battery pack with lithium-impregnated carbon composite bodywork, but the rear wing’s upper element and rear diffuser will utilize structural battery technology to power some of the onboard electrical systems. As the technology improves, this usage will increase.

In the interim, structural battery technology will find greater use with the military and consumer electronics (e.g. tablet computers and smart phones that use their case to provide electrical power). Eventually, however, BAE Systems believes the battery chemistry will be incorporated into fabrics and similar materials to power smart clothing, outdoor equipment and electric blankets.

As should be readily apparent, the Lola-Drayson B12-69EV is a technology demonstrator. It will not run Le Mans series races, nor any other races. The car will be used in “time attack” mode to show the potential of EV technology by lapping race circuits where Le Mans prototypes run as fast, or faster, than a conventionally powered LMP1 car.

The car will be charged via an inductive charging system provided by Halo IPT. It uses coils integrated into the floor of the car, and a recharging pad on the floor of the pit garage. This wireless charging system will send power to a battery pack manufactured by Mavizen that is filled with lithium Nanophosphate battery cells from A123 Systems. This drives four axial flux Oxford YASA motors via Rinehart-supplied inverters at a peak power of more than 850 horsepower. The motors (two per side at the rear axle) are mounted in the area normally occupied by the piston engine, and fitted with driveshafts. There is no gearbox. The car has a single reduction gear linking the electric motors to the driveshafts.

On the downside, the Lola-Drayson race car will be approximately 100 kg (220 lb) heavier than a typical LMP1. However, since it will not be competing in the races, it is free to use moveable aerodynamic devices. These will help trim out the car for lower drag on the straights, and increase downforce through the corners. It’s one of the reason Lola engineers are confident the car will be as fast, if not faster, than current LMP1 vehicles.

In addition, parts of the bodywork will use recycled carbon fiber. Since the fibers of this reused material are shorter than that of virgin fabric, these pieces will be non-structural, and may include parts like the sidepods and damper hatch. Lola and Drayson are also looking into using unused carbon fiber that is beyond its shelf life.